Roche was part of the early 14-man break that formed ahead of the Col Agnel, and he forged clear with Maxim Igꦺlinsky (Astana), Dries Devenyns (Quick Step) and Maxime Mo🉐nfort (Leopard Trek) over the Izoard. On the descent, they were joined by Schleck, who had bridged across alone.
. “He was impressive. He didn’t ask us to ride. He knew very well what he had to do.”
In spite of the stiff headwind that buffeted the riders in the valley beౠtween the Izoard and the Galibier, Schleck did not require any help from Roche or Iglinsky even after his teammate Monfort had swung over. With 10km to go on the climb, Roche had to give best to Schleck’s relentless pressing, and Iglinsky lasted only a little longer.
“Even if he had asked me to help, I would have been incapable even of taking a symbolic turn,” Roche admitted. “I was alrea🅰dy ver♎y happy just to be able to stay on his wheel given that he was going so fast.”
After being out in front for almost 150km, Roche un🔯derstandably st🔜ruggled on the steep upper section of the Galibier after losing sight of Schleck.
“I totally exploded in the last two kilometres,” he explained. “I think that they made a mistake with the signs, because that must have been at least 2.5km. I reall𓃲y couldn’t go any more.”
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Roche ultimately finished 19th 🍒on the stage, and mꦇoved up to 19th place overall, although he explained that the general classification was no longer his primary concern. After his 15th place finish last year, Roche had aimed to break the top 10 in 2011.
&ldquo📖;💞As my position on GC has fallen, I need to save my Tour,” Roche said. “It was good to ride at the front.”
